PDP Advises President Buhari, APC On Democratic Ethos

PDP Advises President Buhari, APC On Democratic Ethos
…Laments Continued Violation Of Constitutional Provisions

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), after a thorough review of the
political developments in the country since the All Progressives
Congress (APC) took office at the center, alerts all Nigerians and the
international community that all is not well with the nation’s
democracy.

The party said this fear is derived from the facts of some conscious
actions and inactions of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC
government that undermine critical institutions of democracy, emasculate
the constitution and ostensibly set the stage for a return of
dictatorial regime in Nigeria.

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, in a statement on
Sunday said despite claims of being a converted democrat, President
Buhari has allowed, under his watch, an incessant violation of sections
of the nation’s constitution, a development that has become a huge
threat to democracy and the stability of the nation.

“For instance, how can this government explain the fact that a major
institution of democracy like the Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC) has been deliberately debilitated to the extent that
it can no longer perform its statutory responsibility for lack of
quorum?

“Nigerians are aware that before his tenure expired on June 30th, the
former INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega wrote to President Buhari,
intimating him of the fact that the tenure of majority of the national
commissioners will expire before August, yet the President never acted,
resulting in the present crisis in the commission, where more than 80%
out of the statutory 13 members remain vacant, even as eleven states of
the federation are also without Resident Electoral Commissioners.

“We note that this anomaly is in addition to the uncertainty surrounding
the controversial appointment of an Acting Chairman of INEC in the
person of a national commissioner whose tenure has since expired, not
minding that there is no provision for an acting chairman of INEC in our
constitution.


“This development has completely enervated the commission from carrying
out its functions as stipulated in part 1 of 3rd schedule of the 1999
constitution as amended, thereby putting our electoral system under
severe threat.

“We ask, if not for a possibility of an ulterior motive to inject a
constitutional crisis and undermine the nation’s democracy, why should
President Buhari wait to be urged before he upholds his responsibility
of forwarding replacements to the Senate for confirmation so as to
enable the commission effectively carry out its constitutional
responsibilities to the nation?

“Could this be a ploy by the APC-led government to use a decapitated
INEC to conduct the forthcoming governorship elections in Kogi and
Bayelsa to pave way for their planned ‘capture’ of the two PDP states?

“Is the weakening of INEC not part of the plot to use the commission to
put the PDP in precarious position in various electoral tribunals to the
advantage of the APC?

“Furthermore, Nigerians are witness to the undue interferences of the
Department of State Services (DSS) in the activities of election
tribunals in Rivers, Akwa-Ibom and other PDP states, where electoral
officers are being harassed, intimidated and detained, ostensibly to
influence judgments against the PDP.

  “Akin to these are reported cases of abuse of security agencies by the
APC-led government. Of particular note is the July reprehensible sealing
of Rivers state local councils by the Police, who also barred members of
caretaker committees, that were duly appointed by the state government
to take charge of the councils following the pronouncement of the court.

  “Also, of grave concern is the adamant stance of this administration in
running a government without the statutory components of a full cabinet
as prescribed by the constitution, even when the negative consequences
of this strange and totalitarian tendency are taking serious toll on the
economy and the polity in general.

“The intolerance of the APC and the glaring insensitivity of this
government, in spite of the outcries of well-meaning Nigerians against
their undemocratic leanings, raise fears about the future of our
democracy and the general health of our dear nation.

“For example, how can we begin to explain the venom and disparagement
with which the APC has been attacking our highly revered national
leaders in the National Peace Committee, which has as members, former
Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, His
Eminence, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, respected clerics; Archbishop John
Onaiyekan and Bishop Matthew Hassan Kuka, retired justices of superior
records as well as others highly respected patriotic Nigerians, for
daring to counsel Buhari’s government on some observed undemocratic
tendencies and processes.

"The crass attacks are more astonishing, considering the much
appreciated role these great Nigerians played in ensuring a peaceful and
violence free 2015 general elections.

“This is especially as we have no reason to believe that such weighty
attacks from the President’s party can come without his approval, more
so as the APC spokesman, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who authored the
statements was not part of the meeting between the President and the
Peace Committee.

“The PDP and indeed all discerning Nigerians are therefore left with no
other option than to conclude that there is a clear agenda to undermine
critical institutions of democracy, intimidate Nigerians and pave way
for dictatorship in the land.

“In view of the developments, the PDP, as a party that nurtured and
sustained democracy in Nigeria for 16 years, beckons on all lovers of
democracy within and outside the country, to rise up to the occasion and
impress it on President Buhari and his APC to imbibe, in its totality,
the tenets of democracy and the rule of law in the general interest of
our dear nation.

"In raising this alarm about disturbing national issues, we however wish
to reiterate our earlier position that the PDP, as a responsible and
patriotic political party, is not in anyway averse to the fight against
corruption, as long as it is carried out within the ambits of the due
process of the law.

“Our nation is a state built on the principles of freedom and social
justice; the essentials of democracy, where ‘sovereignty belongs to the
people, from whom government, through the constitution derives all its
powers and authority’ for the good of all, irrespective of creed, class,
political, ethnic or gender considerations; tenets that must be
protected and upheld at all times.

“Finally, we call on some well-meaning Nigerians who have found
themselves in the APC, especially, those who at one time or the other,
were pupils of the teachings and visions of the founding fathers of the
PDP, to rise above the shallowness of their temporary enclave and join
in this major defence of democratic ethos".

Signed:

Chief Olisa Metuh
National Publicity Secretary